Bathroom appliance



Jan. 25, 1,955 A, E VlSK 2,700,474

BATHROOM APPLIANCE Filed Oct. 29, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet l Zmventor //berff. l Vifk gg y H? (Ittomeg Jan. 25, 1955 A E, VlSK 2,700,474

BATHROOM APPLIANCE Filed Ost. 29, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 :inventor E IJOzberff. l/ffk l /v/y Gttorncg Jan. 25, 1955 A E- V|SK 2,700,474

BATHROOM APPLIANCE Filed Oc.. 29, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 United StatesPatent() BATHROOM APPLIANCE Albert E. Visk, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application October 29, 1948, Serial No. 57,339

Claims. (Cl. 211-2) The present invention deals with an appliance designfor installation in a bathroom and which is intended to be used formultiple purposes.

At the present time every modern bathroom includes a towel rack whichordinarily takes the form of a bar that is spaced a slight distance fromthe bathroom wall and which is adapted to have towels hung therefrom.However, the towel racks which are now known are limited to this usealone.

With this condition in mind, the present invention has in View as its*.foremo'st objective, the provision of an appliance which is designedfor installation in a bathroom and which partakes of the appearance ofthe conventional towel rack, and may be used as such, however, thisappliance is also capable of being used for multiple additionalpurposes.

There are occasions when the occupant of a bathroom has need of ahandgrip for aiding in the support of the person as when standing on onefoot while the other is being dried, getting in and out of the bath tubor other reasons. With this thought in mind, the invention has asfurther object the provision of a bathroom appliance of the typeindicated which includes a main bar defined by two sections each ofwhich is pivotally mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane sothat it may be swung into vertical position whereby it is adapted foruse as a handgrip.

More in detail, the invention has as an object the provision in anappliance of the type aforesaid of releasable means for holding each barsection in a desired adjusted position. The need for such a means isobvious as it will either lock the bar sections in a horizontal orvertical position as occasion demands.

Very often mothers or other persons engaged in the bathing of infantshave need for supporting a bathinette in a usable position. Suchbathinettes are generally made from a flexible waterproof material, andwhen used are suspended from each end. With this thought in mind, theinvention has as a further object the provision of a bathroom applianceof the character noted, and in which the bar sections are pivotallymounted for swinging movement in a horizontal plane whereby they areadapted to be swung outwardly into spaced parallel relation. In thisposition they are adapted to have a bathinette suspended therefrom.

Another somewhat more detailed object of the invention lies in theprovision of a releasable locking means for holding the bars in adesired position into which they have been adjusted in the horizontalplane. Thus, the bars may either be locked in there normal position inwhich they function as a towel rack, or locked in their outwardly swungposition.

After the infant is bathed, a drying operation is necessary. The motheror nurse usually avails of a drying board on which the infant is placedfor this purpose. Obviously, this board should be placed in a positionin which it is conveniently accessible. The appliance of the presentinvention particularly lends itself to this purpose because the barsections in their outwardly swung position are adapted to support such adrying board.

A further object of the invention is the provision, in an appliance ofthe type indicated, of a drying board which includes retaining elementsthat are adapted to cooperate with the bar sections aforesaid inmaintaining the board in position thereon.

'-Inasmuch as there are occasionswhen the drying board' vides forswinging movement ina vertical plane.

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will not be used, it is desirable that it be supported in anout-of-the-way position in which it may be conveniently reached. Thus, afurther object is to provide, in an appliance of the characteraforesaid, a means for supporting the hoard in a vertical positionagainst the wall to which the appliance is secured.

After the infant is bathed and dried, it is common practice to applybaby oil, powder, and perhaps other lotions, antiseptics, and the like.It is, therefore, desirable that provision be made for storing suchmaterials in a convenient place. With this condition in mind, theinvention has in View as a further object the provision, in an applianceof the type noted, of a drying board, the underface of which is providedwith a series of pockets which are adapted for the storage ofthesematerials. With the board in a horizontal position supported on the barsections, and with the infant on the upper face thereof, the attendantmay readily obtain any of the materials in the pockets on the underside.

There are many times when a bathroom is used for laundering personalarticles of apparel, and itis, of course, necessary that they besuspended in condition for drying. The appliance of this invention isparticularly adapted for such use because the bar sections when swungoutwardly are adapted to support lines which are in the nature ofclothes lines, and on which articles to be dried may be hung. With thisuse in mind, the invention has as a further object the provision, in anappliance of the type aforesaid, of bar sections which house one or moreclothes lines in a reeled in condition, and which lines are adapted tobe extended from one bar to the other when their use is required.

More in detail, the invention has as an object the provision, in anappliance of the character indicated, of a pair of complemental barsections. One of these sections houses a plurality of reels on each ofwhich a line is wound. One end of this line is anchored to the reelitself, while the other free end carries an enlargement. The other barsection is provided with means which c0- operate with these enlargementsto detachably secure the ends of the lines thereto. A spring isassociated with each reel, and normally retains the line taken upthereon.

Very often the articles which are to be dried are of a highly personalnature, and it is desirable that they be concealed. The drying board,above referred to, particularly lends itself to this purpose. Thus, afurther object is the provision, in an appliance of the type aforesaid,of a drying board which includes means for suspending it from the freeends of the bar sections when the latter are in their outwardly swungposition. In this position the board will at least partially conceal anygarments that are suspended therebehind.

Various other detailed objects and advantages of the invention such asarise in connection with carrying out the above noted ideas in apractical embodiment will in part become apparent, and in part behereinafter stated as a description of the invention proceeds.

The invention therefore comprises a bathroom appliance which has thegeneral appearance of a towel rack, Iand which is capable of use assuch. This appliance includes mechanism whereby it is adapted for use asa handgrip, a support for a bathinette, a support for a drying board,with toilet articles stored on the underside thereof, clotheslines, andmeans for supporting the board -in position shielding clothes hung fromthe lines.

For a full and more detailed understanding of the nvention, referencemay be had to the following description and accompanying drawingswherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a bathroom appliance designed inaccordance with the precepts of `this invention.

Figure 2 is a View taken from the front and showing one of the barsections in vertical section. As this view is taken on an enlargedscale, the ba-r section is broken away.

`Figure 3 is a view `similar to Figure 2 of the other bar section.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detailed vertical section of the pivotalmounting for one of the bar sections which pro- Figure 5 is aview infront elevation showing'the bar sections in their outwardly swungposition and supporting a -bathinette.

Figure 6 is a top plan view depicting lthe arrangement shown in Figure5.

Figure 7 is a -detailed showing ofoneofthe bar sections in position foruse asa handgrip.

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the barsections swung outwardly,land the clothes lines extended therebetween, and with .the board inshielding position.

Figure 9 is a top plan developing a fragment of each bar sectioninsection, and showing a line stretched therebetween; and

Figure 10 is aview in front elevation showing the bar sections as .swungoutwardly fand. supporting -a drying board.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like `reference characters denotecorresponding parts, and rst more particularly to Figure 1, a ma-insupporting panel is represented at 1i). It is import-ant tonote thatsuch a supporting panel is not an essential part of the inventionbecause its .functionmay be performed by the `bathroom wall itself. Itis illustrated in the drawing for the purpose of showing a unitarystructure `to which the various otherelements are attached, and which,of course, could be anchored to the 'bathroom wall.

The panel'l is shown in Figure 1 ias in `a vertical position. One faceof this panel engages the wall on which the appliance is mounted andextending outwardly from its free .side in a horizontal position arethree `brackets referred to generally as B1, B2, and B3. The bracket B3`assumes the central position illustrated and comprises a pedestal 11,`which may be secured to the panel 10, or directly to the .bathroom wallin any preferred manner, such as by the fastening elements illustratedat 12.V Outstanding from this pedestal 11 is a solid rod 13, which iscut away adjacent to its free end, and to provide oppositely -disposedsockets 14 and 15 for a purpose to be later described.

The bracket B1 is anchored to one endof the panely 10, Vor directly tothe bathroom wall7 and the bracket B2 lis'anchored to the other end ofthe panel 10. If secured directlygto the :bathroom wall, the brackets B1and B2 will ybe in properly spaced relation. rAs these brackets B1 andB2 are. substantialduplicates in mechanical structure, only one. of themis here -described in detail forA the purposes of this specification.

Upon referring now more particularly to Figure 4, it will ,be` notedthat each of the brackets B1 and B2`comprisesl a cup-shaped base `member16 from which extends an :annular flange 17 formed with a-series ofopenings 18, which are` designed for the. reception of they screwfasteners depicted at 19, in Figures Zand 3. This cup-shaped member 16has an outer face plate 20` formed with a desired number of openings 21which. are angularly spaced apart-a properdistance. Theseopenings 21vdetermine the positions in which the bar sections,- to be laterdescribed, vmay .'be. locked as they are swungin a vertical plane. Thus,purely by way of example, it is noted `that the lface plate is formedwith four of the openings 21, with the openings spaced ninety degreesapart.

The face plate 20` is also formed with a central opening 22 inyvhich. isfitted a sleeveflike bushing 23.

lA ,U-,shapedgmember denedby an upper yleg-24, a bott-om lieg 25, and a-crosspiece 26 is rotatably` mounted on the face plate 20. This mountingis accomplished -in the following manner:` the crosspiece .26 is formedwith an opening 27 in which is fitted a bushing 28. The-bushings23V and2S have aligned openings which receive a pivot bolt 29 having a head 30`at one end and nuts 31.

at theother. lItis evident thatthe nuts 31 -rnay ybe tightened tomaintain the crosspiece 26 in face to face engagement with the faceplate 20 and still permit a pivotal movement.

. Thelleg24 is `formed with an aperture 32 and mounted on the underfaceof this leg `beneath this aperture, as-by a casing. 33, is a springbiased plunger 34. This plunger 34 passes throughan opening 35 formed inthe crosspiece26, andxitsfree end takes the form of atrounded nose whichis Iadapted for reception in any of the Iopenings 21. ,l A trigger 36 isconnectedto this plungerand extends through the aperture 32 whereby it-rnay Abe conveniently reached so as'to Vwithdraw 'the plunger 35 from:any of theopenings 21 -in-which it may be Vreceivedmwhen oc`-casion-arises` to swing the bar `vsections, to be later described, in avertical plane.

I The upperleg 24 is also'formed'with afcircul'ar'opening 37, while thebottom leg 25 is formed with a noncircular opening 38 that aligns withthe opening 37. Purely by way of illustration, it is noted that thisopening 38 is square, and its shape determines the number of positionsinto which lthe bar -sections now to *be described maybe swung in ahorizontal plane.

As shown in .Figure 1, the bar section S1 is pivotally secured to thebracket B1 and the bar section S2 to the bracket B2. While there aredifferences in'construction in the bar sections S1 and S2, and themechanism housed thereby, there is no difference in the manner .in whichthey are anchored to their respective brackets. Thus, each of these barsections `includes a tubular sleeve 39 which is internally threaded andto which is secured a neck 40 that extends from a hub 41. The hub 41 hasa lower end plate 42 which bears against the lower leg 25, and` which isformed with-an opening in alignment with the opening 38. The hub 41-also includes a -top plate 43 which bears against the underface of thetopleg 24, and is formed with an .opening in` alignment with openings37.V The hub 41 may also include intermediate bracing elements 44 whichare formed with antopening in alignment with the otheropenings.

4A king-pin 45 passes through these aligned openings. At its lower end,the king pin 45 is formed'with a head 46which is square and complementalto the opening '38 into which it sadapted to be received. The upper-endof the king pin 45 is received in a spring retaining member 47 that isslidably fitted in the opening 37 of the leg 24, and an expansion coilspring 48 bears against the retainer 47 at-one end, and one of thepartitions44 atthe other. The normal tendency of this spring vis tomaintain the head 46 seated in the 'opening l38. Extending-upwardly fromthe retainer- 47 is an operating member in the form of a tab 49 whichmay be availed of to urge theking pin 4S downwardly against theinfluence of the spring ItV is evidentthat the mechanism sofarvdescribed'provides for swinging either the barvsections S1 or.S21ina vertical plane about one of the bolts 29 as a pivot -or in ahorizontal plane-about-one of the king pins 45 as a pivot. Moreover,provision is made for detachably locking'each bar section in a desiredadjusted position.

`Referring nowY more particularly to Figure 2, thede tailed descriptionof the bar section S1 will be described. This bar section S1 comprises acylindrical'tube 50 which is externally threaded at one'end whereby itisadapted for connection to the sleeve 39, and an end plate 51xn1ay beclamped between the end `of the tube 50 and the neck 40. The free end ofthe tube 50 is internally threaded and screwed thereinto is a plug 52formed with ka `noncircular socket 53. A shaft has one endl formed withan extension '55 that is complemental to, and received in, the socket 53whereby it is held `against rotation,y and lits other end is anchored tothe end plate-51.

vIt is intended that the bar `section S1 house; a..de.sir,ed number oflines `in areeled in condition. The 'particular number of lines `may,vary with any device, and is nota limitation of ,the invention. As thereel niechanismrassociated with each line is the same as very otherline; only` one such reel is illustrated in Figure 2, andis'nowrdescribed.

A reel, which is referred in its entirety by the reference characterR,\takes the form of a spool made up of. a cylindrical body 56 and endflanges 57 and' 58. These end anges are snugly received in the bore ofthe .tube

Si), while the cylindrical body 56 is disposed .about;the

shaft 54. Thus, the reel R is nicely mountedfor rota tion in the shaftsection S1.

Coiled vabout the shaft 54is a spring 59, andone tend of this springv isanchored'to the shaft 54 as shown'at 60, while the other end is anchoredto the end flange 5 8v as represented at 9. A linev 61 has one endanchored toV the end flange .57- as shown at 62, and thisrline extendsthrough a slot formed in the vtube 5,0, ,the outer free end vof eachline 6 1 carries anenlargement in theform of al ball 63. Thisballissucientlylarge to-.prevent its paSSge;

through vthe, slot in .thetube 50.

Referring now more particularly to Figure. 3, the y301.11,y

strnctionof .the .barsection ..S,2wi11 be described. Thislbar moon-f4"section comprises a cylindrical tube 64 formed with a plurality ofkeyhole slots 65 which correspond in number to the number of lines 61.Each keyhole 65 is adapted to receive one of the balls 63 to detachablysecure that end of the line to the bar section S2.

The outer free end of the tube 64 is closed by a plug 66, while theinner free end is screwed into the sleeve 39 of the bracket B2.

Upon referring to Figures 5 and 6, it will be noted that a bathinette isrepresented at 67, and is shown as having a plurality of loops 68 ateach end. 'Ihese loops are adapted to suspend the sections S1 and S2.

A drying board is shown in Figures 5, 6, and and is designated 69. Thisboard may be made from any appropriate material and at two of itscorners, there is a suspension clip 70 which is adapted to fit over thefree ends of the respective bar sections S1 and S2 in suspending theboard 69 therefrom in the manner shown in Figure 8. At each end of theboard 69, there is a small bracket 71 which provides a retaining angefor holding the board 69 in position on top of the bar sections asrepresented in Figure 10.

Either the panel 10, or the bathroom wall itself may be provided with apair of tabs such as shown at 72 for supporting the board 69 in anout-of-the-way position against the wall when not in use.

Extending from one end of the board to the other on its underface is anelastic line 73 to which is secured, one edge of the fabric band 74. Theopposite edge of this fabric may be secured to the board at the edgesthereof. The ends of the fabric bands 74 are also secured to the edgesof the board as indicated by the fastening elements 75. In order topartition the band 74 olf into a plurality of pockets, fasteningelements are shown at 76. These may be either of the permanent anddetachable type. The flexible line 73 permits access to each of thepockets of the band 74 that are dened by the fastening element 76.

Operation While the various methods `of using the appliance,hereinbefore described, is believed to be obvious, they are brieflyoutlined as follows:

In the position depicted in Figure l, the appliance is adapted for useas a towel rack. Towels may be hung over the bar sections S1 and S2 in aconventional manner.

When it is desired to use either of the bar Sections as a handgrip allthat is necessary is to exert an outward pull on the trigger 36. Thiswithdraws the plunger 34 from the opening 21 in which it is seatedwhereupon the bar section is swung upwardly into the position depictedin Figure 7. After it reaches this position, the spring which biases theplunger 34 will urge it into the proper opening 21 to lock the barsection in its vertical position.

When the appliance is to be used to support the bathinette 67, the tabs49 of each of the brackets B1 and B2 are depressed. This withdraws theheads 46 from the openings 38 whereupon the bar sections S1 and S2 maybe swung outwardly. As the outward movement begins, the operatorreleases these tabs 49, so that when they reach a position perpendicularwith the wall, the spring 48 again fit the heads 46 in the openings 38to lock the bar sections in this position. The loops 68 may now be slidover the bar sections in a well known manner to support the bathinette.

During this time the board 69 will have been supported in anout-of-the-way position against the wall by the members 72.- When theuse of the board is required, it is simply lifted out and placed in ahorizontal position on the bar sections. It will be held in thisposition by the flanges of the brackets 71. Whenever the user of theappliance has need of any of the materials held by the band 74, all thatis necessary is to reach beneath the board, and the elastic band 73provides the necessary access to these materials.

When it is desired to use the appliance for the purpose of hangingclothes to be dried, the bathinette 67, and the board 69 are removed.The user now grasps the ball 63 of one of the lines 62, and extends itoutwardly against the influence of the spring 59 of the respective reel.The ball 63 is then fitted in the keyhole slot 65 of the bar section S2whereby it will be retained in its properly extended position, and asmany of these lines will be extended as required. The clothes are thenhung thereon,

and if it is desired to conceal them, the board 69 may be y suspendedfrom the outer ends of the bar section S1 and S2 as shown in Figure 8.

Whenever the lines 61 are not needed, all that is necessary is to removethe balls 63 from the keyhole `slot 65.

. it may be used for the storage of a bathinette when the lattler is notin use rather than for the purpose ofa towel rac The bathinette 67 isiirst suspended from the bar sections Sl and S2 in the mannerillustrated in Figures 5 and 6. Each of the brackets B1 and B2 is nowrotated 90, during which movement, the bar sections S1 and S2 willrotate within the loops 68 with a sliding action. This one quarterrevolution disposes the king pins 45 on a horizontal plane. The barsections S1 and S2 may now be rotated on these pins 45 into a verticalposition or one in which they are slightly inclined toward the wall.

The board 69 is now positioned in front of the bathinette 67 so as tofunction as a shield which conceals it.

While preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinafter setforth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to belimited to the exact construction mechanisms, and devices illustratedand described because various modifications of these details may beprovided in putting the invention into practice within the purview ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a bathroom appliance of the character described, the combinationof: a pair of complemental bar sections having closely adjacent innerends and outer ends means for mounting the outer end of each bar sectionon a wall structure in spaced relation, said bar sections in oneposition being in substantial alignment to provide a towel rack,mechanism included as a part of said means providing for swingingmovement of said bar sections in a vertical plane into spaced uprightparallel positions, additional mechanism included as a part of saidmeans providing for movement of said bar sections in a horizontal planeinto spaced parallel relation, and locking devices associated with eachof said mechanisms for maintaining said bar sections in adjustedpositions.

2. ln a bathroom appliance of the character described, the combinationof a pair of complemental bar sections, means for mounting one end ofeach bar section on a wall structure for pivotal movement in ahorizontal plane, a bathinette, and means at each end of said bathinettefor suspending said bathinette from said bar sections.

3. In a bathroom appliance of the character described, the combinationof: a pair of complemental bar sections, means for mounting one end ofeach bar section on a wall structure for pivotal movement in ahorizontal plane, a bathinette, and a pair of loops at each end of saidbathinette adapted to be fitted over said bar sections to suspend saidbathinette therefrom.

4. In a bathroom appliance of the character described, the combinationof a pair of complemental bar sections, means for mounting one end ofeach bar section on a wall structure for pivotal movement in ahorizontal plane, a drying board adapted to be supported from said barsections, and means for retaining said board in position on said barsections.

5. ln a bathroom appliance of the character described, the combinationof: a pair of complemental bar sections, means for mounting one end ofeach bar section on a wall structure for pivotal movement in ahorizontal plane, a plurality of clotheslines extendin" between saidarms when they are in an outswung position parallel to one another, adrying board, and hanger elements at two corners of said drying boardfor suspending said board in a vertical position from the freeends ofsaid bar sections.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 100,297Knowlton Mar. l, 1870 277,736 Iske May 15, 1883 288,183 Ohly Nov. 6,1883 300,428 Zanger June 17, 1884 316,987 Martin et al. May 5, 1885(Other references on following page) 1,740,653` Hunneman,-Jr Dec. 24,1929

